2015 Summit Event Report - Green Sports Alliance Summit

June 29 - July 1, 2015 Chicago, Illinois
@SportsAlliance
#GreenSports
Delivered by
THE HIGHLIGHTS
2015 saw the most significant Green Sports Alliance Summit to date. Over 700 sports and
sustainability industry leaders gathered in Chicago to advance the sports greening movement.
Built on the theme Growing the Team: Engaging Fans Through Sustainability, the Summit
educated and empowered attendees to use the power of sports to help create healthy,
sustainable communities where we live and play.
“We were thrilled to sponsor the Summit again in 2015.
The Green Sports Alliance unites the sports community around
sustainability every year, collaborating to drive innovative
solutions to our biggest sustainability challenges. The Summit
provided an opportunity to share what we’ve learned on our
journey and to learn from others in the industry.”
BETSY WILSON Director, Global Sponsorships & Sustainability Communications, UPS
2015 SUMMIT IMAGE GALLERY >
2015 SUMMIT HIGHLIGHT VIDEO >
2015 SUMMIT VIDEO PLAYLIST >
2015 GREEN APPLE DAY OF SERVICE >
2015 SUMMIT BY THE NUMBERS:
1
LEGACY GREEN APPLE DAY
OF SERVICE EVENT
2
ALLIANCE RESOURCES
RELEASED
4
MAIN STAGE PANELS
4
1
GREEN SPORTS CELEBRATION
AT SOLDIER FIELD
3
SYMPOSIUMS
6
SPONSOR MINI-SESSIONS
IN THE UPS CLUBHOUSE
THEATER
12
INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT
SESSIONS
1
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
4
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
7
ICONIC CHICAGO SPORTS
VENUE TOURS
84
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
NETWORKING HAPPY HOURS
THE PLAYERS
722 105 140
REGISTERED ATTENDEES
SPEAKERS
SUMMIT REGISTRATION GROWTH:
ATTENDEE BREAKDOWN:
800
700
4%
722
600
646
605
500
4%
PRO & COLLEGIATE
LEAGUES, TEAMS, EVENTS
& VENUES FROM
8 COUNTRIES
4%
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED:
10%
525
400
11%
56%
300
200
11%
197
100
Australia
0
Denmark
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Education: University Athletic & Recreation
Israel
Facilities/Food
New Zealand
Sports Leagues: All Departments
United Kingdom
Sports Teams: All Departments
China
Non-Profits
Canada
Sports Venue Management
United States
Sports Industry Supply Chain & Partners
Switzerland
France
SPONSORS:
TM
S O L U T I O N S
THE IMPACT
With contributions from a broad range of attendees and sports industry representatives,
the 2015 Summit expanded the public conversation about the sports greening movement.
8.5M 2.7M 319
TOTAL MEDIA
IMPRESSIONS ACROSS
ONLINE, PRINT AND
BROADCAST
TOTAL SOCIAL MEDIA
IMPRESSIONS WITH USE
OF #GREENSPORTS
FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND
INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
GAINED DURING SUMMIT
NOTABLE COVERAGE INCLUDES:
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSIDERATIONS
ASSOCIATED PRESS, GREEN MOVEMENT
COLORING WAY SPORTS LOOKS AT
ENVIRONMENT >
OFFSETS
BIOCYCLE, JUNE 2015 ISSUE: SPORTS TEAMS
BUILD FOOD RECOVERY AWARENESS >
MSNBC GREENHOUSE, ATHLETES IMPROVE
PERFORMANCE BY GOING GREEN >
SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, SPORTS &
SUSTAINABILITY IN-DEPTH >
STADIA MAGAZINE, JULY 2015 ISSUE: REST IN
PEACE? FIND OUT HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE
OF YOUR AGING FACILITY BEFORE IT’S TOO
LATE >
ESPNW, THE GREENING OF SPORTS–AND
WHERE WE’RE ALL HEADED NEXT >
Through the generous support of the
Bonneville Environmental
Foundation and Wildlife Works, the
2015 Summit offset its environmental
impact with the following:
440
» 245 Verified Carbon Offsets to
cover 539,910 lbs. or 245 metric
tons of CO2e emissions associated
with attendee, speaker, sponsor
and staff travel via plane and car.
» 74 Water Restoration Certificates to
balance the 73,308 gallons of
water used at the event and in
attendee hotel rooms.
USERS DOWNLOADED
SUMMIT APP & USED IT
12,326 TIMES BETWEEN
JUNE 5-JULY 6
» 19 Renewable Energy Certificates
to ensure that renewable energy
was used to generate the
18,894 kWh of electricity used
at the event and in attendee
hotel rooms.
WASTE
Top Tweet
EARNED 20.5K IMPRESSIONS
We can’t wait for Edmonton Oilers Cpt.
@Ferknuckle’s keynote on authenticity in
#GreenSports at next weeks Summit!
ow.ly/ONpJM
Waste Management, the official
Green Sports Alliance Summit Zero
Waste Partner worked with event
and venue staff to measure and
report our waste.
Top Follower
FOLLOWED BY 201K PEOPLE
Linda Cohn @lindacohn
» 91% of waste was diverted from the
landfill at all Summit events at the
Hyatt, McCormick Place
Convention Center and
Soldier Field.
Top Photo
EARNED 991 LIKES
carolinegleich Here's a shot from the
@greensportsalliance panel I spoke on with
fellow athletes @brendanbrazier
and@gerglong, moderated by @sarahspain.
It was such an honor to speak on this panel
and share our insights into how athletes can
engage fans to create more sustainable
communities. I spoke about some of the work
I've done with @protectourwinters and other
non-profits. I hope our discussion inspired
others at the Summit to want to step outside
their comfort zone and take a stand for
climate change and environmental
responsibility. #greensports
» An estimated 75% of waste was
diverted from the landfill in Summit
Attendee hotel rooms at the Hyatt.
Top Post
» In total, 5,291.90 lbs. of waste or
88.3% diverted from the landfill at
all Summit Events and Attendee
hotel rooms.
1,054 PEOPLE REACHED,
23 LIKES, COMMENTS AND SHARES
Green Sports Alliance, Brendan Brazier,
Andrew Ference & Will Witherspoon featured
on @MSNBC's Greenhouse. #GreenSports
#Sportsbiz
EXHIBITS
» Exhibitors were sent Green
Guidelines with tips on reducing
their impact
» Products and booths were made
of sustainable materials
» Giveaways were limited to mostly
utilitarian items such as pens or
notebooks.
» Remaining exhibitor products were
donated to local charities,
benefiting homeless and
low-income families and diverting
336 pounds of waste.
THE PROGRAM
Driven by leaders in sports and sustainability, the 2015 Summit program showcased better
practices, common challenges, success stories, and untapped opportunities in sports greening.
CLICK THE ICONS FOLLOWING EACH SESSION
TO ACCESS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
29
The Green Sports Alliance launched the 2015 Summit with the Chicago
Green Sports Green Apple Day of Service Presented by Connor Sports
30
Thought Leadership Forum Delivered by UPS
SUNDAY, JUNE
MONDAY, JUNE
“The National Hockey
League was proud to host
the 2015 NHL Sustainability
Symposium in collaboration
with the Green Sports
Alliance. Together we are
using our influence to
promote healthy,
sustainable communities.
The symposium brought
together environmental
leaders from around the
NHL and demonstrated our
commitment to best-in-class
sustainable practices
and technologies.”
with partners Chicago Public Schools, HOK, Skanska, USGBC-Illinois and the Center for Green
Schools at USGBC.
Over 100 volunteers came together at Robert Healy Elementary School to upgrade the
schoolyard basketball and game courts and spruce up the courtyard with exterior building
painting, a mural project and plantings.
The 2015 Thought Leadership Forum Delivered by UPS at the Green Sports Alliance Summit
convened the corporate community including sports industry vendors, sponsors and partners
for an interactive and engaging discussion on how innovation and collaboration across industries can advance the green sports movement.
Featured Speakers:
J.W. Cannon | Senior Project Lead - Sponsorships and Events, UPS
Keith Edwards | Sales Manager - Biopolymers, BASF
Vanessa Keitges | President & CEO, Columbia Green
Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D. | President, Green Sports Alliance
Scott Jenkins | Board Chair, Green Sports Alliance; Stadium GM, AMB Sports & Entertainment Group
Joe Khirallah | CEO, Green Bear Group
NHL Sustainability Symposium Powered by Constellation
The 2015 NHL Sustainability Symposium Powered by Constellation at the Green Sports Alliance Summit celebrates five years since the official launch of NHL Green, the high-impact environmental sustainability initiative of the National Hockey League. Executives from the NHL and
its Member Clubs, alongside players and key stakeholders, convened for an interactive, engaging discussion on the current state of environmental sustainability in the sport.
Featured Speakers:
Gary Bettman | Commissioner, National Hockey League
Darryl Benge | GM of Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay Lightning
Bob Black | EVP, Edmonton Arena Corporation/Katz Group
Linda Cohn | ESPN SportsCenter Anchor
Michael Doyle | EVP & GM of Rogers Arena, Canucks Sports & Entertainment
Andrew Ference | Captain & Defenseman, Edmonton Oilers
Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D. | President, Green Sports Alliance
Jim Ibister | VP Facility Administration, Minnesota Wild & GM, Saint Paul RiverCentre
Scott Jenkins | Board Chair, Green Sports Alliance; Stadium GM, AMB Sports & Entertainment Group
Omar Mitchell | Sr. Director of Sustainability, National Hockey League
Mike Richter | CEO & Founding Partner, Healthy Planet Partners; U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer
Andrew Singer | Vice President, National Accounts, Constellation
CRAIG HARNETT
SEVP and Chief Financial Officer, NHL
Women, Sports & the Environment Symposium
Raising the Bar: How the Green Sports Movement Can Leverage Lessons from
the Women’s Leadership Movement
The Women, Sports & the Environment Symposium provided an opportunity to engage and support women and men from all sectors of the sports industry to further advance the green sports
movement. This collaborative community discussed the role women can have in the development
of a more sustainable future; using sports as an instrument of change to address community and
environmental issues, while continuing to inspire each other to advance professionally.
The third annual Women, Sports and the Environment Symposium at the 2015 Green Sports
Alliance Summit consisted of a panel discussion, roundtable conversations and networking
opportunities. The program featured business leaders from sports, entertainment and other
industries sharing success stories from their Women’s Leadership Programs and discussing
how we can leverage these lessons to support the advancement of environmental responsibility
across sports.
Panelists and attendees explored how investing in female talent can advance sports greening
by (a) raising awareness of issues that may not be visible in our day to day (b) creating a safe
space for learning, experimentation and developing community and (c) anchoring efforts in a
sense of purpose.
“Protecting our
environment is very
important to me which is
why I was thrilled to spread
the word and help the
cause at the NHL
Sustainability Symposium at
the 2015 Green Sports
Alliance Summit. It was
great to see two successful
organizations coming
together to reach the same
goal of a healthy planet.”
LINDA COHN
ESPN SportsCenter Anchor
Facilitator: Jennifer Regan | Principal & Chief Sustainability Officer, We Bring It On, Inc.;
Board Member, Green Sports Alliance
Moderator: Jami Leveen | Director of Marketing and Environmental Stewardship,
Aramark Sports & Entertainment
Nancy Atufunwa | Senior Account Manager, IMG Worldwide, Corporate Consulting Division
Beth Heider | Chief Sustainability Officer, Skanska
Leisha John | Director of Environmental Sustainability, EY
Chicago Sports Venue Tours
2015 Summit attendees had a chance to get an insider’s look at some of the iconic Chicago
sports venues including:
Allstate Arena
DePaul University
Soldier Field
Toyota Park
Loyola University
U.S. Cellular Field
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
Opening Program: Walking the Walk:
Athletes Advancing More Sustainable Communities
Moderator: Sarah Spain | espnW Columnist & ESPN TV & Radio Host
Brendan Brazier | Former Professional Ironman Triathlete, Two-time Canadian 50km
Ultramarathon Champion, bestselling author of Thrive
Caroline Gleich | Professional Big Mountain Skier
Greg Long | Professional Big Wave Surfer
31
TUESDAY, JUNE
Keynote: How to Join the Green Team:
Lessons from Disney’s Environmental Efforts
Dr. Beth Stevens | SVP, Corporate Citizenship, Environment & Conservation, Disney
Plenary | Beyond the Building: How Sports Facilities Contribute
to Sustainable Communities & Urban Vitalization
Moderator: Chris DeVolder | Sustainable Design Leader for Sports and Recreation, HOK
Greg Beadles | EVP, CAO & CFO, Atlanta Falcons, AMB Sports & Entertainment Group
Bob Black | EVP, Edmonton Arena Corporation/Katz Group
Kristine Fowler | Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, Indiana University
John Marler | Senior Director of Energy and Environment, AEG
Kunal Merchant | VP, Strategic Initiatives, Sacramento Kings
Plenary | Growing Healthier Communities:
More Sustainable Food Plays in Sports
Moderator: Alice Henly | Director of Programs, Green Sports Alliance
Jennifer Cox | VP of Culinary, Levy Restaurants
Carl Mittleman | President, Aramark Sports & Entertainment
Will Witherspoon | Former NFL Linebacker, Sustainable Farmer & Reporter for Rams Radio Network
“It was once again a royal
honor to attend the GSA
Summit. Thank you all for
allowing me to speak on
the behalf of many and
partake in such an amazing
conversation. The GSA
mission makes me drive
mine forward as well.
Looking forward to all the
support I can give. Once
again truly an honor to be
involved with such a great
organization.”
WILL WITHERSPOON
Former NFL Linebacker, Sustainable Farmer &
Reporter for Rams Radio Network
Breakout Sessions
Storytelling Session | Fan Engagement Part 1 - Trends in Sustainability
Engagement in Sports
Moderator: Brian McCullough | Assistant Professor, Seattle University; Founder, Forwarding
Sport Sustainability
Alexandra Chalat | Managing Director, thinkBeyond
Becky Dale | Manager of Environmental Sustainability Programs, AEG
Joey McColm | Professional Race Car Driver, Canada's Best Racing Team
Dave Newport | Director, Environmental Center at University of Colorado Boulder; Board
Member, Green Sports Alliance
How-To Workshop | Putting Benchmarks & Baselines to Work:
Driving Energy, Water & Waste Savings at Sports Venues
Moderator: Stefanie Young | LEED AP BD&C, Director, Technical Solutions, US Green Building Council
Carlie Bullock-Jones | ASID, LEED Fellow, Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
Bina Indelicato | PE, LEED AP, Founding Partner, eco evolutions
Chris O’Brien | Adjunct Professor & Former Director of Sustainability at American University;
Director of Higher Education Programs, Altenex
Jackie Ventura | Operations & Sustainability Coordinator, AmericanAirlines Arena, The Heat Group
Town Hall Discussion | Climate & Sports:
Reducing the Carbon Impacts of Large Sports Events
Moderator: Fernão Silveira | Integrated Public Affairs Leader, Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions
Jeff Hansbro | Senior Technology & Sustainability Leader, Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions
Eva Kassens-Noor | Assistant Professor of Urban and Transport Planning in the School of
Planning, Design, and Construction, Michigan State University
David Stubbs | Independent Sustainability Expert; IOC Consultant; Former Head of
Sustainability for London 2012
How-To Workshop | Responsible Food Waste Management:
Following the Lead of MVPs in the Great Lakes Region
Moderator: Julie Schilf | Environmental Scientist and Regional Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 5
Jim Ibister | VP of Facility Administration, Minnesota Wild & General Manager, Saint Paul RiverCentre
Kevin Jezewski | Director of Sustainability and Special Projects, SAVOR, McCormick Place
Syd Mandelbaum | CEO and Founder, Rock and Wrap It Up!
Brad Mohr | Manager, Stadium Operations, Cleveland Browns/FirstEnergy Stadium
Green Sports Celebration at Soldier Field
Special Guests Included:
Prince Ea | Rapper, Spoken Word Artist & Activist
Shawn Heinrichs | Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer, Photographer, Artist & Marine Conservationist
1
WEDNESDAY, JULY
Green Sports Alliance President’s Address
Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D. | President, Green Sports Alliance
Keynote Address: Adding Street Cred to the Movement:
The Importance of Authenticity
Andrew Ference | Captain & Defenseman, Edmonton Oilers
Plenary | Activating the Next Generation of Fans:
Engaging Millennials Through Sustainability
Moderator: Terry Lefton | Editor-at-Large, SportsBusiness Journal
Megan Eisenhard | VP - West Region, Learfield Sports
Janette Micelli | Manager, External Communications, Waste Management Corporate Communications
Hector Scarano | VP, Sales & Marketing, Andretti Autosport
Erin Schrode | Co-Founder, Turning Green
“The summit was a fantastic
event and I found many
new ideas and inspiration,
as well as meeting some
great people along
the way.”
MICHAEL LLOYD
Arsenal, London
Breakout Sessions
Storytelling Session | Fan Engagement Part 2 Innovative New Outreach Models and Activations
Moderator: Robin Raj | Founder & Executive Creative Director, Citizen Group
Sean Connolly | SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, The Trust for Public Land
Val Fishman | VP of Corporate Partnerships, Bonneville Environmental Foundation;
Board Member, Green Sports Alliance
Rachel O’Reilly | Head of Business Development, Americas & Pacific Rim, Wildlife Works
Hamish Reid | Co-Founder Project Litefoot Trust
Kevin Whilden | Co-Founder, Sustainable Surf
How-To Workshop | Better Places to Play:
Creating Healthier Venues for Athletes & Fans
Moderator: Steve Ashkin | Executive Director, Green Cleaning Network; Board Member,
Green Sports Alliance
Barbara Cunningham | Deputy Office Director, U.S. EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
Alan France | Director of Sustainability, Environmental Services, ABM
Chuck Gerba | Professor, Microbiology & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona
Katy Severinsen | Director of Facilities Operations, Aramark
Storytelling Session | Advancing the Supply Chain:
Environmentally Better Products for the Sports Industry
Moderator: Tim Reeve | President, Reeve Consulting
Roian Atwood | Director of Sustainability, Majestic
Brandy Lockaby | Innovation Director, SpiceFire
Judd Michael | Professor of Sustainable Enterprises in the Department of Agricultural &
Biological Engineering, Penn State University
Kerri Strand | Sustainability Solutions Manager, UPS
How-to Workshop | The Sustainable Chicago Sports Project:
A City-Wide Approach to More Sustainable Professional Sports
Moderator: Eloise Karlatiras | President & CEO Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition
Tom Funk | VP of Concessions, Levy Restaurants
Sabina Shaikh | Ph.D., Economics Lecturer & Director, Environment, Agriculture and Food
Group, University of Chicago
Bill Shaw | Director of Operations, Soldier Field
Karen Weigert | Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago
“The Chicago Summit was
out of the park! Certainly
EcoSafe has had the
benefit of having witnessed
the evolution and
unbelievable growth of this
unique and remarkable
organization.”
Storytelling Session | Collegiate Sports Greening Lessons:
Case Studies of Successful Initiatives, Projects & Partnerships
Moderator: Dave Newport | Director, Environmental Center, University of Colorado Boulder;
Board Member, Green Sports Alliance
Mike Gulich | Director of University Sustainability, Purdue University
Bob Guptill | Manager of Business Development, Purdue Sports Properties
Dirk Kestner | Principal, Walter P Moore
Doug Kunnemann | Global Segment Leader - Food Service, NatureWorks
Maureen McGonagle | Director, Department Leadership and Management, DePaul Campus Recreation
Greg Whittemore | SVP, HKS Inc.
RIC MALLETT
Founding Partner, EcoSafe Zero Waste
Town Hall Discussion | From Consumer to Producer:
Moving Venues Toward Net-Zero Energy
Moderator: Ralph DiNola | Chief Executive Officer, New Buildings Institute
Jon Bortles | Sustainability Program Manager, Department of Facilities Management, University
of Colorado Boulder
Ryan Gilchrist | Assistant Director, Business Development, Urban Green Energy
JD Schmidt | Managing Director, Business Solutions, NRG Energy
Brock Sansom | President and CEO, SHIFT Energy
Rich Walsh | Manager, Technical Energy Sales, WGL Energy
How-To Workshop | Controlling the Flow of Precious Resources:
Implementing Innovations in Water Management at
Sports Venues & Events
Moderator: Vanessa Keitges | President & CEO, Columbia Green
Becky Dale | Manager of Environmental Sustainability Programs and Initiatives, AEG
Jon Dewitt | Sports Turf Manager, Georgia Tech Athletic Association
Dr. Kimberly Erusha | Managing Director, USGA Green Section
Storytelling Session | Empowering Future Leaders: Students Tackling
Sports & Sustainability
Moderator: David Muller | Membership Director, Green Sports Alliance
Sara Allan | Student Coordinator, Penn Athletics EcoReps; Varsity Gymnastics Team
Edgar Farrera | Director of Sustainability, Circuit of the Americas
Jeffrey Mittelstadt | Director of Sustainability, Davidson College
Tiffany Richardson | Program Director, Sport Management, University of Minnesota
Closing Program & Reception | Tailgate & Game Watching Party
at the Rooftop Garden
THE HISTORY
The annual Green Sports Alliance Summit is the largest and most influential gathering for the
sports community to unite around sustainability. The event brings together more than 700
industry stakeholders to learn and share better practices and the latest innovations in greening
operations, advancing the supply chain and engaging fans.
PAST SUMMIT PROGRAMS:
2014 SUMMIT PROGRAM >
2013 SUMMIT PROGRAM >
2012 SUMMIT PROGRAM >
2011 SUMMIT PROGRAM >
Find out more at greensportssummit.org